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The Daily Grind: Will you be playing EQN Landmark next month?
Access to EverQuest Next Landmark is about a month away, according to a recent tweet by SOE CEO John Smedley. I'm kinda wondering where the time has gone, since it seems like last month that the company announced its next-gen sandbox and it seems like last week that it started talking up features and design decisions. I guess I need to see about getting some alpha access, and I'm interested to know how many of you have done or are planning to do the same. So there you go, today's Daily Grind: did you pre-order Landmark, and will you be playing it next month? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
EQN Landmark video talks procedural content, visits Everfrost
SOE has dropped another EverQuest Next Landmark dev diary video. Senior producer Terry Michaels and senior art director Rosie Rappaport are your hosts for a three-minute look at the creation of the world. "We didn't want to create the world for Landmark the way we did in previous games. It needs to be giant, it needs to be huge," Michaels says. "So we couldn't go down the path of hand-crafting everything in the world. It would take way too long and people would consume that content way before we could create more of it." SOE's solution is procedural content, and the video attempts to explain how the firm's concept art, "field guides," and various assets fit together and enable devs "to basically press a button and generate a continent that looks hand-crafted."
Norrathian Notebook: EverQuest Next Round Table roundup, round three
Quick on the heels of our second Round Table roundup for EverQuest Next and EQN Landmark comes the third, filled with the next bushel of questions! In these (lucky) seven queries, devs asked players to give their opinions on starter zones, modding the UI, length of the day and night cycle, grouping, preferred Landmark building styles, and the role of NPC merchants. And of course, devs also offered their personal opinions on these topics. Did you participate in all the polls the first time through? If not, we've got them all right here for you. Go ahead and join in the discussions; it is never too late to voice your opinions! You never know when your comment might be the one that turns the tide of thinking or offers a new solution no one had considered before.
EverQuest Next Landmark shows off its first building blocks
EverQuest Next is going to give players a lot of tools to make things, and EverQuest Next Landmark is all about making things without the restrictions of the full game. But what will you be making those things out of? We're glad we assumed you asked because the latest video from the game is all about showing off the building blocks players will have access to. First up on display: the tropical environment. It's only fair to warn you that the video is fairly short, so you won't be gleaning huge amounts of new gameplay information from it. You will, however, have a glimpse into how you'll be shaping an environment with nothing more than creativity and some tropical trees, complete with object rotation and careful building. Click on past the break to check out the whole video, and start thinking about what you're going to build when you get the chance.
EverQuest Next Landmark alpha coming 'last half of January'
Remember back when SOE said that EverQuest Next Landmark's alpha would happen on or before February 28th, 2014? According to CEO John Smedley, players will likely be seeing the game a month (or more) sooner than that. Smedley tweeted, "It's looking like our alpha for EQNL is going to start sometime in the last half of January." That's some pretty good news for folks who are excited to get in and test the building tools in the sandbox for themselves.
EverQuest Next will feature a longer day/night cycle
If you're one of the few people who have ever given serious and lengthy thought and consideration as to the day/night cycle in MMOs, you might be a developer (real or armchair). In the latest EverQuest Next round table, the SOE team discusses how the day/night cycle will impact players and whether it should change from the EverQuest standard. The EverQuest standard day/night cycle is 72 minutes (36 minutes for each half). In the poll, the most players said they were open to lengthening this cycle due to how the emergent AI will act depending on the time of day. So what did the developers decide to do with this polling data? According to the round table, they're going to make the day/night cycle an even two hours long. Just as in real life. You can watch the discussion after the break.
Norrathian Notebook: The EverQuest franchise through the ages
Our notebook is tattered no longer! We've filled so many pages over the years that it is time to set the dog-eared, fraying sheets aside and take up a fresh new notebook with plenty of room for all the upcoming adventures. And on this fresh new slate, you will see a slightly different focus from that of its predecessor. As you may have noticed, over the past few months, The Tattered Notebook dipped into coverage of more than just EverQuest II. As of this moment, it is official: Our notebook now chronicles Norrath, in all its shapes and forms. These pages will fill with all things EverQuest, from the original game to the next incarnations. On top of the franchise focus that includes four major titles, the notebook is moving back to a weekly time slot every Saturday, so you'll get your Norrathian news more frequently. To kick things off, let's a look at the history of Norrath, from start to sequel to sandboxes, and everything in between.
Next SOE Live hits Vegas August 14 - 17, 2014
If you're still kicking yourself for missing the big reveals of SOE Live 2013, you've got plenty of time to make preparations for next year's convention. Mark your 2014 calendars for August 14th through the 17th; that's when fans from the whole arsenal of SOE games will descend upon Las Vegas to mingle with devs, participate in contests and tournaments, attend player and dev panels, and catch reveals of upcoming content in their favorite games. SOE Live 2014 will also features access to beta programs as well as plenty of in-game and real world swag. The annual fan convention will return to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, and tickets will be available for purchase in early 2014. Additional information will be forthcoming later, but you can catch the reveal trailer below. [Source: SOE press release]
The Tattered Notebook Extra: EQ Next Landmark livestream talks tools, demonstrates mining
Any time you mention EverQuest Next Landmark, you get a score of people saying that they just don't quite get it. To help alleviate that, devs hosted another EQN Landmark livestream and dished up more details about the upcoming sandbox and treated viewers to their first look at actual mining gameplay footage. While a large part of the stream focused on harvesting and mining, that was not the only topic touched upon. Senior Producer Terry Michaels teamed up with Producer Emily "Domino" Taylor and Community Manager Colette "Dexella" Murphy to answer various questions and share information about naming, beta news for SOE Live 2013 attendees, and more. If you missed the stream, we've compiled some of the key points right here for you. And since seeing is believing, we've got the entire livestream as well!
EverQuest Next Landmark beta keys available in US PC Gamer
First, PC Gamer UK brought us the news of three new classes in EverQuest Next. Now the US version is keeping with the EQN theme by offering subscribers EQN Landmark closed beta keys. This gives players another option for gaining access to closed beta besides purchasing a Founders Pack or hoping for the best during a lottery selection. In the print version of the mag, you'll receive an exclusive, one-week access to the sandbox when it hits beta. Along with the keys, the magazine offers impressions on the gameplay, and you can also read Massively's own hands-on experience in Landmark. [Editor Note: Fixed to clarify that these keys are for the print version of the magazine only.]
EverQuest Next to feature a moddable UI
We're going to go ahead and just spoil the outcome of the most recent EverQuest Next roundtable discussion because Lead UI Designer Jake Sones answers the central question within seconds of the video's start. Yes, EverQuest Next will have a modifiable UI, and while EverQuest Next Landmark won't have the option at launch, it will be built to allow it in the future. Senior Brand Manager Omeed Dariani still has more questions to ask Mr. Sones over the video's full running time, but they're about not the if but the how. Sones explains that the team is hoping to build the best possible UI for the game right out of the box, but everyone's idea of what is best will be different. So in addition to building a solid core UI, the developers need to leave space for players to modify the interface according to their needs. Take a look at the full video past the cut for more views on the overall process of making a modifiable interface at launch.
Upcoming EverQuest Next Landmark livestream will discuss harvesting
You've asked for more details about EverQuest Next Landmark, and now you're getting them... tomorrow, that is. On Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m. EST, devs will be giving you the scoop on gathering in the next Landmark livestream. Senior Producer Terry Michaels, Producer Emily "Domino" Taylor, and Community Manager Colette "Dexella" Murphy will be showing off even more in-game building while discussing other features and revealing new concept art. Currently on the table are the topics of harvesting and mining as well as character naming, but if you hop in the official Twitch channel, you just might get your own questions answered as well!
The Tattered Notebook: EverQuest Next roundtable roundup, take two
Back in September, The Tattered Notebook gathered together the first 10 roundtable questions that EverQuest Next and EQN Landmark devs posed to fans, with their accompanying community thoughts, developer opinions, and video clip answers. However, that was only the tip of the iceberg. The Round Table discussions were not just an introductory fad; they are a permanent part of the development process. As such, new polls are put up every week for fans to vote on and to post their own feedback and thoughts about on the forum. So now that a couple of months have passed, it's time to round up the next wave of questions in one central location, focusing this time on the six questions with dev responses. Maybe there is a query or two that you missed as the weeks rolled by, or maybe you just want to see what direction the community is leaning. Got some strong opinions about death penalties or fast travel in EverQuest Next? What about in-game holidays? This is definitely the time to share them!
The Game Archaeologist: Going forward by looking back at the past
Have you noticed? I'm sure you've noticed. It seems as though ever since this Kickstarter fad flared up, the avalanche of retro-themed game projects has exploded. And it's not just on Kickstarter, either. One of Guild Wars 2's most popular content additions over the past year was a tongue-in-cheek recreation of 8-bit games. And now we've got Trove, which above its controversy is definitely appealing to the glory days of gaming past. The Game Archaeologist has always advocated that the past can influence our present and future in surprising ways. It sometimes irks me that current developers have shown a lot of ignorance for past ideas when coming up with new content, although that irritation has lessened recently now that I'm seeing a growing movement to embrace and incorporate what's come before, both ideologically and aesthetically. So what does the past have to offer the future of MMOs and how can game developers capitalize on it? As usual, I have all of the answers.
Some Assembly Required: How EverQuest Next Landmark could redefine PGC
PGC means Players Got Creativity! OK, no it doesn't really, but it could (and it's better than Pungent Goat Cheese!). As you know, in our MMOverse, the acronym stands for Player-Generated Content, which is not only the backbone of Some Assembly Required but easily my favorite part of gaming. And what is player-generated content if not a demonstration of player creativity? Unfortunately, for several years, my favorite part of games seemed to be the least important focus for MMO developers. PGC, if it is brought in at all, is relegated to the back seat (or locked away in the trunk). Luckily, times are a-changing. Just a glance over the past year shows that the aversion-to-PGC attitude is shifting; more sandboxes have gone into development with more and more features than in the last few years. But one game, above them all, is going beyond adding a few features. EverQuest Next Landmark is not just letting PGC into the car; it's plunking it in the driver's seat and handing over the keys, and in doing so could potentially redefine PGC as we know it. And that's a good thing! Instead of being treated as non-essential fluff, PGC could be seen as a vital ingredient to any MMO.
SOE offers EQ and EQII rewards with Landmark pre-orders
Here's a gift idea for that sandbox MMO nut on your Christmas list: EverQuest Next Landmark Founder's Packs. Well, probably just one Founder's Pack, but you get the idea. SOE has updated its website with pre-order gifting functionality, and the company has also added a wee bit of extra incentive for current players of both EverQuest and EverQuest II. That incentive takes the form of an in-game flag corresponding to your Settler, Explorer, or Trailblazer Founder's Pack purchase. You can either use the flag as a home decoration or "carry it along with you during your adventures in Norrath."
EverQuest Next devs talk lore delivery in latest roundtable response
Lore -- love it or leave it? EverQuest Next's 15th roundtable response focuses on the recent question posed to players: What is your favorite way to consume lore? In the video, Lead Content Designer Steve Danuser and Senior Brand Manager Omeed Dariani tackle the idea of how to deliver that game lore, especially when the vast majority of respondents voted for a mixture of methods. Danuser talked about taking a different approach to how story is delivered; NPCs talking, cutscenes, and such are all tools in devs' story-telling toolbox (and will be utilized in the game), but they're not the only ways. "We don't rely on those to get the story across for you," he said. "We want you to be exploring the world and having this very dynamic story playing out." Players can take lore or leave it, just play or seek out deeper stories. Find a library of ancient tomes? You can read them or not -- it's up to you. Catch all the details in the video below.
Watch SOE artists go from concept art to EQN Landmark asset
SOE has released a new timelapse video showing the construction of a rock-formation-with-a-house-on-top thingamajig in EverQuest Next Landmark. The inspiration was a piece of concept art, and you can literally see the whole scene take shape over the course of the clip's one-minute running time. Click past the cut to have a look.
Three more EverQuest Next classes confirmed
If all you want for Christmas is more EverQuest Next news, PC Gamer UK has an early present for you: three more confirmed classes! Cleric, Necromancer, and Beast Lord are joining the five other revealed classes of Wizard, Tempest, Warrior, Rogue, and Blademaster. Didn't get the one class you were hoping for? Don't despair -- with over 40 classes, there's a good chance that many fan favorites will still make it into the game along with interesting new ones. The reveal also offered a little insight into each of the new classes as well as the Tempest. The Cleric utilizes one- or two-handed hammers to buff and protect, but also gets fire to unleash damage. Using a tome or dagger and spells, Necromancers also command a Monstrosity companion that grows in power alongside its master. The Beast Lord uses pets, flails and shields, and spears to inflict massive damage on enemies. And the Tempest wields either a two-handed blade or two blades and calls upon winds and lightning to blast enemies.
The Tattered Notebook: The EQN Landmark founders pack fallout
You might have heard about a little piece of EverQuest Next Landmark news about how interested players have the opportunity to purchase Founders Packs. If you haven't (or you missed the resulting maelstrom of responses), the basic gist of it is this: SOE is offering three levels of pre-launch bundles for the upcoming sandbox game, with prices ranging from $19.99 to $99.99. Besides in-game goodies, each pack also adds alpha or beta access to EQN Landmark. Therein lies the rub. That one little bit of intel set off quite a flurry of comments, from valid concerns to some head-scratching claims. Some folks had questions as to whether these packs have anything to do with EverQuest Next (they do not); there seems to be some overall confusion and misinformation mixed in among legitimate points and vitriol alike, so today I'm going to address some of the concerns that cropped up.
